Stevenson University officially announced the appointment of the new Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs on Aug. 22.

Susan Thompson Gorman, Ph.D., succeeds Dr. Paul Lack in the role. Lack recently retired after a 14-year career with the university.

Gorman’s new job position places her as the chief academic officer of the university with a seat in President Kevin J. Manning’s cabinet.  Her job is to direct and oversee all seven schools and their deans.

The appointment of Gorman comes at a time of change and growth at Stevenson University. In August, the university opened the new 200,000-square-foot Academic Center on the Owings Mills North campus, named in honor of President Kevin J. Manning, who will retire in June 2017 after 17 years of leading the institution.

Despite change and modernization, Gorman is no stranger to Stevenson University. She started at Villa Julie College in 1991, developing a senior capstone program in the sciences, new courses, and the institution’s first pre-medical curriculum, according to a university press release.

In 2001, she was named the founding director for the science and mathematics division. In 2009, she was named the founding dean of the School of the Sciences. In 2014, she was appointed Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Despite her elevated stature at Stevenson, Gorman remains truly humble with a sincere love and admiration for Stevenson University, the students and faculty.

“My favorite quote is by Helen Keller, ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,’” said Gorman. “I think it relates back to the strong community that is established here.”

A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISE

Gorman has secured grants that launched initiatives including the creation of the university’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Research, established Stevenson’s affiliation with the national Project Lead the Way program, and supported the State’s Academy of Health Professions curriculum.  In 2014, she was named a Distinguished Woman Honoree by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland.

“The recognition was certainly unexpected,” Gorman said, regarding being named a Distinguished Woman Honoree by the Girl Scouts. “I will have to admit that I was a Brownie Scout as a youngster. But it means a lot to me to be associated with an organization that advocates for and inspires young girls to be future leaders, especially in STEM fields.”

A long-time Maryland resident and outdoor enthusiast, Gorman and her husband of 33 years have raised three daughters.